TRENDS – Union future

Around 1.9 million workers are union members. That's 20 per cent of the full-time workforce. (ABS August 2009).

Union membership has fallen dramatically over the last 20 years. From over 40% membership in 1990, union membership now sits at about 20% of the workforce.

In some areas of work union membership is much higher. This includes teachers, public servants, police, emergency service workers, actors, and nurses.

2009 DATA TABLE: Employees in main job, Industry of main job, By trade union membership in main job-Proportion of all employees who were trade union members (ABS 12 May 2010)

Union membership

Percentage of workforce in unions:

1990 41%
1995 33%
2000 25%
2005 22%
2008 19%
2009 20%
(ABS 2009 - see here for the latest data 12 May 2010)

Why the decrease?

There could be many reasons for the decline in membership.

1. The workforce has changed – and there are fewer jobs in areas were unions are strongest

For example, over the past 20 years the workforce has changed in many ways, including:
• More private sector jobs and less government jobs
• Fewer blue collar jobs and more white collar jobs
• Decline in manufacturing jobs and an increase in service industry employment
• More part time/casual and part time work.

2. New technology has changed the workforce

New technology in many industries has dramatically changed the workforce. Many jobs that were done by union members have been lost to new technology.

3. Employees are often unaware that they have the option of joining a union

Unions are keen to let more people know that they can join unions. Did you know that virtually every employee can join a union (except the military)?

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